Obituary of William D. Mehlenbacher

Cohocton – William D. Mehlenbacher, 80 years of age, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. Bill was born April 28, 1943 in Cohocton, NY, the son of Arthur and Mildred (Strobel) Mehlenbacher. He grew up in Cohocton and has remained in the Cohocton area his entire life. Bill graduated from Cohocton Central School and then earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from SUNY Geneseo. He began his career at BOCES as a Special Education teacher and then progressed to Dansville Central School where he was a second grade elementary teacher for over 30 years. To this day, Bill is recognized by his former students for his wonderful positive influence on so many. Bill was an antiques expert, a dealer and avid collector and was fully engaged in the antiques business. Vintage Steuben Glass was his specialty, and he was an active member of the Carder Steuben Glass Association as well as the Open Salt Collectors Club. For many years he was an officer of the Cohocton Historical Society recently serving as a board member. Bill was a founding member of the Cohocton Fall Foliage Festival and active with that event for many years. He loved music and dancing especially swing, ballroom and the cha-cha! He was a consummate “people person” who loved to socialize with anyone and everyone. Whether he knew or thought he knew someone, he would greet with a smile, handshake and endless curiosity. He was a wonderful listener regardless of the situation. His circle of acquaintances was expansive, and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. Bill was pre-deceased by his parents and several siblings (and in laws) including: infant Gwendolyn Mehlenbacher, Clair Mehlenbacher, Harold Mehlenbacher, Donald (Claire) Mehlenbacher, Richard (Katherine) Mehlenbacher, Walter (Peggy) Mehlenbacher, John (Betty) Mehlenbacher and his sister-in-law Marian Mehlenbacher. He is survived by brother James Mehlenbacher of Hornell, NY, and sisters Mary Lou (Rod) Lindsey of Cohocton, NY, Joan (Joseph) Schwartz of Wayland, NY, and Dorothy Mehlenbacher of Tennessee. Bill also is survived by many nieces and nephews, too many to name, as well as great nieces and nephews, all as very special to him as he was to them. Bill’s family and friends are invited to call Sunday, May 6, 2023 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at St. George-Forsythe Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland, NY. On Monday, May 7, Bill’s funeral service will be private for his family and relatives. However, all are invited to his committal service at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Cohocton, NY, on Monday at 12:15 p.m. Memorial contributions in Bill’s name are welcomed by the family to the following organizations: Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery Association, c/o Mary Lindsey, 63137 State Route 415, Cohocton, NY 14826, The Cohocton Historical Society, PO Box 177, Cohocton, NY 14826, or the Finger Lakes SPCA, 72 Cameron St., Bath, NY 14810.